OneWeb Successfully Launches 34 Satellites

Global communications company OneWeb announced its successful launch of 34 satellites aboard a Soyuz launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The satellites were launched on 7 February 2020. They separated from the rocket and were dispensed in nine batches over a period of several hours. It is the second successful launch in its campaign to build OneWeb’s phase one constellation of 648 satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity while addressing the world’s most pressing connectivity problems.

“The successful manufacture, delivery and launch of this batch of 34 satellites is the latest proof point of the OneWeb plan,” said Adrian Steckel, OneWeb’s CEO. “Importantly, today’s mission also brings us closer to our next step, realizing our ultimate vision of providing access to high speed, reliable internet to everyone, everywhere.”

The company is on schedule to provide global coverage to customers in 2021, beginning with the first commercial services in the Arctic this year. It has already secured global priority spectrum rights and successfully launched its first batch of satellites last year.

The OneWeb network will provide a combination of high data throughput, low latency, true global coverage, and a range of user terminals for multiple markets including maritime, aviation, government, and enterprise.

“We are seeing considerable interest from prospective customers and partners,” Steckel added. “…I’m very proud of our team and partners who continue to collaborate to make our ambitious scale a reality, and also those in Kazakhstan for supporting our vision.”